Video recording apparatus

ABSTRACT

A low cost video recording apparatus for one time recording on a recording medium, comprises a casing ( 15 ) which houses a video cassette tape, a lens ( 1 ), a microphone ( 16 ), a colour CMOS sensor, a signal processing module, a write head and a drive unit, in operational relation to each other. Also provided is a view finder ( 21 ) and an operating switch ( 22 ). The casing ( 15 ) has formed thereon a tear strip ( 20 ) used for opening the casing once recording has been completed. Removal of the cassette tape also involves disabling of tape guide components. Since one time recording only is possible with no playback or rewind, the life requirements for the various components can be considerably reduced.

This application is a division of co-pending application Ser. No.10/365,483, filed on Feb. 13, 2003. Application Ser. No. 10/365,483 is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 09/319,962 filed on Jun. 14, 1999which is a national stage Application of PCT/NZ97/00612 filed on Dec.11, 1997 under 35 U.S.C. § 371, which claims priority of New ZealandApplication No. 299938 filed Dec. 13, 1996. The entire contents of eachof the above-identified applications are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a video recording apparatus. Forconvenience only the present invention will be described in relation toa form of a video tape recorder commonly referred to as a camcorderwherein information related to moving images is stored in a video tape,for which the invention may be particularly applicable. However, theinvention is not limited to this and also covers for example forms ofvideo recorders where a magnetic disc or compact disc or other suitablemedium is used for storing the information.

BACKGROUND ART

Video recorders for recording moving images on a recording medium arewell known, and recent advances in component miniaturisation have seen amarked reduction in size and cost of such devices together with animprovement in performance. Such devices however are still relativelyexpensive due in part to the requirement for reliability and long lifeof the components, and the complicated mechanism and extra componentsincorporated into most types of devices for providing loading andejecting of the recording medium, and in the case of magnetic tape,rewinding of the recording tape, and playback from the recording tape ofrecorded images. Consequently due to the cost of current devices,someone wishing to occasionally make a video recording must eitherborrow or hire a video recorder, and handle this with care to avoiddamage. It is also unwise to allow the video recorder to be used bychildren.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel videorecording apparatus which addresses the foregoing limitations andinconvenience with conventional video recording devices, or to at leastprovide the public with a useful choice.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided avideo recording apparatus comprising: a lens (or a device for mounting alens); a light sensing device (or a device for mounting a light sensingdevice), for sensing an optical image focused by said lens (or a lenswhen mounted by said mounting device), and producing correspondingelectrical output signals; a signal processing device, for processingsaid electrical output signals into information in a suitable format; arecording medium mounting device for mounting a removable recordingmedium; a write device for recording said processed information onto aremovable recording medium; a casing for housing said components inoperational relation to each other such that in use images from externalobjects are recorded by a recording medium mounted by said recordingmedium mounting device; and a device for limiting the useful life of oneor more of said components other than the recording medium to thatnecessary to partially or fully fill said recording medium withinformation, or to that necessary to maintain the integrity of saidvideo recording apparatus until the recording medium is to be removed.

The apparatus may further comprise a drive unit for driving in onedirection a video tape recording medium when mounted by said recordingmedium mounting device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided avideo recording apparatus comprising: a lens (or a device for mounting alens); a light sensing device (or a device for mounting a light sensingdevice), for sensing an optical image focused by said lens (or a lenswhen mounted by said mounting device), and producing correspondingelectrical output signals; a signal processing device, for processingsaid electrical output signals into information in a suitable format; aremovable video cassette tape recording medium for storing saidprocessed information thereon; a video head unit for recording saidprocessed information onto said removable video cassette tape recordingmedium; a drive unit for driving said video cassette tape recordingmedium to enable said storing of information; a casing for housing saidcomponents in operational relation to each other such that images fromexternal objects are recorded by said video cassette tape recordingmedium with operation of said drive unit; and a device for limiting theuseful life of one or more of said components other than the recordingmedium to that necessary to partially or fully fill said recordingmedium with information, or to that necessary to maintain the integrityof said video recording apparatus until the recording medium is to beremoved.

In addition the apparatus may comprise an optical non electronic typeview finder, and said drive unit may comprises a unidirectional drive,and said light sensing device may comprise a complementary metal oxidesilicon (CMOS) sensor type integrated circuit.

Moreover the apparatus may comprise a roller which is secured by aretaining device to said casing in a recording position where it holds atape of said cassette tape recording medium in proximity to said videohead unit, and said device for limiting the useful life of one or morecomponents involves release of said retaining device.

The release of said retaining device may involve melting of a portion ofsaid retaining device using a heated element. Alternatively or inaddition, the release of said retaining device may involve removal of anengaging member or may involve damage to or dislocation of said casing.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a disposable video recording apparatus comprising: a lens, (ora device for mounting a lens); a light sensing device (or a device formounting a light sensing device), for sensing an optical image focusedby said lens, and producing corresponding electrical output signal; asignal processing device (or a device for mounting a signal processingdevice), for processing said electrical output signals into informationin a suitable format; a write device for recording said processedinformation onto a recording medium; a recording medium for storing saidprocessed information thereon; a drive unit for driving said recordingmedium to enable said storing of information; a casing for housing saidcomponents in operational relation to each other such that images fromexternal objects are recorded by said recording medium with operation ofsaid drive unit; and a device for limiting the useful life of one ormore of said components other than said recording medium to thatnecessary to partially or fully fill said recording medium withinformation, or to that necessary to maintain the integrity of saiddisposable video recording apparatus until the recording medium is to beremoved.

The term disposable is used herein to define a video recording apparatuswhich can only be used once, after which it is either thrown away, ormust be returned to a specialised servicing centre for reconditioningand reloading with recording medium.

By providing a low cost video recording apparatus as described above,which is designed for making just a single recording on a recordingmedium, (either partially or fully filling the recording medium), thelife requirements for the various components can be considerably reducedtogether with their cost, so that the apparatus can even be disposable.Moreover in the case of, for example, a video tape recording medium,there is no requirement for complicated mechanisms for rewinding thevideo tape and playback of the information recorded thereon.Furthermore, the design can be such that components are factory fittedrelative to the tape, thus ensuring accurate alignment without the needfor careful design, as with conventional video recorders. In addition,power requirements can be considerably reduced, and hence a low costcompact power unit can be used.

The lens may be similar to a lens such as used with a conventional videocamcorder, with either manual or auto focus features. However, since thelife of the lens need only be that required for recording of a singlevideo tape, the lens may be made much more cheaply, and the structurefor mounting the lens components can be less rigid, since there is norequirement for example to withstand rough handling over an extendedperiod as with conventional video camcorder. Alternatively, there may beprovided a device for fitting a lens, in which case a separate andperhaps more expensive lens may be fitted to the video recordingapparatus, and removed after use. In this way, different types oflenses, for example wide angle, tele-photo, fish eye lenses may be usedwith the same basic video recording apparatus. Moreover cost of thebasic unit may be reduced, so as to be more attractive to the consumer.

The light sensing device may comprise any suitable device which is ableto convert optical information into electrical signals. For example thismay comprise a charge coupled device (CCD) integrated circuit or acomplementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) sensor type integrated circuit.As with the lens, instead of incorporating the light sensing device intothe video recording apparatus, there may be provided a device formounting a light sensing device, in which case a separate and perhapsmore expensive light sensing device may be fitted to the video recordingapparatus, and removed after used. For example the light sensing devicemay be formed as one with the lens unit.

The signal processing device may comprise any suitable means whereby theelectrical signals from the light sensing device are converted to asuitable format for recording on a recording medium such as video tape,magnetic discs, or compact disc. In the case of VHS or 8 mm recordingtape, the signal processing device may include a device for convertingto PAL or NTSC signal format. As with the lens, instead of incorporatingthe signal processing device into the video recording apparatus, theremay be provided a device for mounting a signal processing device, inwhich case a separate and perhaps more expensive signal processingdevice may be fitted to the video recording apparatus, and removed afteruse. For example the signal processing device may be provided in aseparate unit incorporating a lens and light sensing device, which isfitted to the video recording apparatus and removed after use.

The write device may comprise any suitable means whereby informationprocessed by the signal processing device can be written onto arecording medium. For example in the case of a video tape recordingmedium, this may comprise a standard colour VHS head unit. This may alsoincorporate an audio recording function so that sound can be recorded atthe time of recording the video information. In the case of a compactdisc, this may comprise for example a device such as currently used forwriting on magneto-optical discs. However, since the life requirementsof the write device are minimal, other devices involving less complextechnology and perhaps yet to be developed technology, may beappropriate. It is generally envisaged that the write device would beprovided as an integral part of the video recording apparatus, anddisposed therewith.

The drive unit for driving the recording medium to enable storing ofinformation, may incorporate any suitable power source. For example thismay comprise an electric motor with a speed control function tosynchronise the movement of the recording medium with the imageprocessing rate of the light sensing device. In the case of an electricmotor, this may involve electrical control of the speed. In the case forexample of a spring drive, speed control may involve for example anescapement mechanism such as used for clock mechanisms, or old typespring driven movie cameras. Since the recording medium is only drivento enable storing of information thereon, then the drive unit need onlybe capable of drive in one direction.

The casing may be of any suitable material and design whereby thecomponents can be held in operational relation to each other for thelife of the camera. For example this may be of low cost plastics orreinforced cardboard design, sufficient to withstand a minimal amount ofrough handling.

The device for limiting the life of the components may involve anysuitable arrangement whereby one or more components is disabled or madeunusable. The main requirement for limiting the life being to ensurethat the device cannot be reused, at least without some form of repairor component replacement or resetting, thus ensuring the limited life ofsome of the components is not exceeded, and the performance of the unitand quality of the recording is not compromised.

For example this may be achieved by a design wherein removal of thetape, or filing the recording medium to its planned capacity results indamage to one or more components. For example this may involve a timerwith an LCD display which disables the video recording apparatus in somemanner after the tape has been used for a specified time. Alternatively,this may involve a mechanism which is activated once the tape has beenused, to damage or disable the CMOS sensor or some other essentialcomponent. For example in the case of a tape recording medium, todamage, release or relocate roller mounts to enable removal of the tape,or to prevent reloading of a tape cassette.

In one arrangement, the write device may involve a write head which ismovable from a recording position where it is arranged in proximity tothe recording medium for recording thereon, to a release positionwherein the recording medium may be removed. This movement may beachieved for example by opening the casing, thereby changing thepositional relationship between the write head and the recording medium.This may however be achieved after opening the casing to gain access tothe recording medium, by manually removing the recording medium fromproximity to the recording head. In one arrangement, removal of therecording medium from the drive head may only be achieved by damage tothe drive head or associated components.

In the case of a video tape recording medium, the write device mayinvolve a write head, and rollers for holding the tape against the writehead. Release of the tape on completion of recording may involvedisabling the roller mount so that the rollers can be moved to allow thetape to separate from the write head for subsequent removal from thevideo recording apparatus.

In a preferred form, the design may be such that at least the casing ofthe video recording apparatus must be damaged in some way so as toremove the recording medium from inside. In the case for example of aplastics or cardboard casing, this may involve breaking the casing openat a predetermined weakened region, for example along a tear strip.

The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elementsand features referred to or indicated in the specification of theapplication individually or collectively, and any or all combinations ofany two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specificintegers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, these aredeemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description given in conjunction with theappended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of the arrangement of components of avideo recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the videorecording apparatus, incorporating the components of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are schematic diagrams illustrating a write head andtape cassette arrangement for the case where a tape recording medium isused, FIG. 3A showing a preloaded condition with a tape in a recordingposition, and FIG. 3B showing a cassette removal condition with the tapein a removal position; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a method of releasing tapeguide rollers.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram showing the arrangement of componentsof a video recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. This embodiment is designed for use with a standard VHS videocassette tape. The components thus include as follows. A lens 1 of lowcost construction having either manual or auto focus features. A colourCMOS sensor 2 with integrated camera functions serving as a lightsensing device for sensing an optical image focused by the lens 1 andproducing corresponding electrical output signals. The electricalsignals in this case being for example 25/30 frames per second videosignals 2 a. An additional signal processing module 3 serves as a signalprocessing device for processing the electrical output signals 2 a intoinformation 3 a in a suitable format. With this embodiment, the signalprocessing module 3 produces output signals in either PAL or NTSC videoformat. A two head colour VHS write head 4 with a single mono audio head4 a and tape guide assembly, serves as a write device for recording theprocessed information onto a recording medium. A VHS video tape cassette5 is mounted adjacent to the write head 4, and a tape 5 a thereof isheld against the write head 4 by means of rollers of the tape guideassembly (to be described later), for storing the NTSC or PAL videooutput signals 3 a from the signal processing module 3 and writtenthereon by the write head 4. A drive unit generally indicated by arrow6, comprises a battery pack 7, a voltage regulator 8, a timer 9, a headmotor 10, a head motor controller 11, a tape motor 12 and a tape motorcontroller 13. The components of the drive unit 6 are of similar designto corresponding components used in conventional video recorders, butwithout the stringent design requirements to ensure a long life andreliable operation. For example the battery pack 7 comprises fourdisposable 15 volt cells, and the other components may be made from lowcost limited life components. A casing 15 schematically represented as abox outline, houses the abovementioned components in operationalrelation to each other such that images from external objects arefocussed by the lens 1 onto the colour CMOS sensor 2 and subsequentlyrecorded onto the tape 5 a under control of the drive unit 6. Alsoprovided is an audio microphone 16 connected to an audio signalprocessor 17 which processes audio signals 16 a from the microphone 16,and outputs a mono audio signal 17 a for recording together with thevideo signal 3 a from the signal processing unit 3 onto the videocassette tape 5 a by means of the audio head 4 a.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the video recording apparatuscomprising the components of FIG. 1. Components the same as in FIG. 1are indicated by the same symbols and description is omitted. As shownin FIG. 2, a view finder 21 of a simple optical non electronicconstruction is also provided in the casing 15 for aligning the videorecording apparatus when taking a video picture. Also provided is anoperating switch 22 for switching the drive unit 6 on and off.

The casing 15, which is made of a reinforced cardboard or plasticsmaterial, has formed thereon a tear strip 20. The tear strip 20 is usedfor opening the casing 15 when it is desired to remove the video tapecassette 5 for viewing on a separate playback device. Once the tearstrip 20 is removed, the integrity of the casing 15 is damaged, andfurther recording is thus no longer possible. The tear strip 20 thus hasthe function of a device for limiting the useful life of the videorecording apparatus, thus ensuring the limited life of some of thecomponents is not exceeded, and the performance of the unit and qualityof the recording is not compromised. Depending on design, in the case ofa plastics material casing 15, a pull away section which can be removedto expose the interior of the casing 15 may be provided instead of thetear strip 20. Alternatively, a push button or lever arrangement may beprovided. In this case, the casing may not necessarily be damaged withopening to remove the cassette, and instead some other component may bedamaged. Due to the non requirement for reuse of components, the designmay be simplified. For example to remove the tape cassette 5, mountingsfor the write head 4 may be damaged, for example with the opening of thecasing 15, to separate the cassette tape 5 a from the write head 4.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show a possible arrangement for the VHS write head4, the associated rollers and the tape cassette 5, FIG. 3A showing apreloaded condition with the tape 5 a in a recording position, and FIG.3B showing a cassette removal condition with the tape 5 a in a removalposition. Components similar to those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the samenumeral. The tape 5 a of the tape cassette 5 is held against the writehead 4 by means of roller units 30. The tape 5 a is also held against acapstan roller 32 by means of a capstan roller 34 for providing feedbackcontrol to synchronise the tape motor 12 (FIG. 1) with the head motor 10(FIG. 1).

Since with the video recording apparatus according to the presentinvention, the tape 5 a is pre-loaded, the roller units 30 and thecapstan roller 34 are all fixed in position at the time of manufacture.Hence alignment of components can be insured with a simple design.

To remove the tape cassette 5 the tape 5 a must be able to be withdrawnback into the body of the tape cassette 5 to the position shown in FIG.3B. This corresponds to the tape removal condition which is achievedwith standard video tape recorders by means of a complicated mechanismwhereby the rollers are moved back to positions within the border of thecassette body.

Possible methods to enable removal of the tape cassette are given below.

FIG. 4 shows details of one method wherein heated wires are used tocause failure of mountings for the roller units and capstan roller.Components the same as in FIG. 3 are indicated by the same symbols.

As typically shown in FIG. 4, the roller units 30 and capstan roller 34(not shown) are each mounted on a base 36 which can slide along agrooved track 38 (FIG. 3). The bases 36 of the roller units 30 andcapstan roller 34 are connected to the casing 15 of the video recordingapparatus by weakened sections 40 which are wound with a resistive wire42. Once recording is completed, a timer triggers a switch which allowscurrent to flow through the resistive wires 42 which heat up and meltthe weakened sections 40 severing the connection to the casing 15, sothat the roller units 30 and capstan roller 34 can be slid along thegrooved tracks 38 to the cassette removal position shown in FIG. 3B,under the winding up tension of the tape 5 a.

As another method, the roller units 30 and capstan roller 34 may be heldin position by a retaining device such as pins or the like instead ofthe weakened sections 40. The user would then remove the retainingdevice once recording was completed, thereby allowing the roller units30 and capstan roller 34 to move to the cassette removable position.This arrangement may be preferable for situations where it is desired torecycle the video recording apparatus, since the roller mounts would notnecessarily be damaged. Here the device for limiting the useful life ofone or more of the components would involve the release of the rollerunits and capstan roller from their accurately aligned operatingpositions. Once released, the roller units and capstan roller could nolonger be used until refitted in position in the factory at the time offitting a new tape cassette.

Instead of releasing the roller units and capstan roller as describedabove, removal of the roller units and capstan roller could be achievedby providing a removable or sliding side panel to the video recordingapparatus, on which the roller units and capstan roller are mounted, orto which the roller units are linked. Once recording is completed, thisside panel could then be removed or slid by the user, taking with it theroller units and capstan roller or moving them to a release position,thus allowing the tape to be wound up by the drive motor. This methodhowever would require more active participation on the user side, andmay therefore be less desirable.

The above description of the embodiments is not to be taken as limitingto the scope of the invention and various other arrangements andcombinations are also possible.

For example, although the lens 1 is described as being an integral unitwith the casing 15, the invention is not limited to this arrangement.For example the casing 15 may be provided with a lens mounting, formounting a separate lens. In this way, the versatility of the videorecording apparatus may be increased, as different types of lens may befitted as required or desired. Moreover, since such lenses need not bediscarded with the video recording apparatus, these lenses may be moreexpensive, and incorporate functions such as a through the lens viewfinder, and a zoom function. Furthermore, depending on advances withtechnology, it may be feasible to incorporate some of the othercomponents such as the light sensing device and the signal processingdevice of the video recording apparatus into the lens casing, and thushave these components also supplied separately.

Moreover, while the above embodiments have been described as using amagnetic tape as the recording medium, the invention is not limited tothis and may instead use other recording mediums such as a compact discor a magnetic disc.

In the above description reference has been made to known componentscurrently used in video recording equipment. However, it is to beunderstood that due to the new field to which the invention isapplicable, that is to say low cost video recording equipment, and tothe rapid advance in recording technology, there may be other suitablecomponents which have not yet been developed or considered, and thescope of the present invention is to be taken as including low costvideo recording apparatus incorporating such components.

I believe the advantages of my invention to be as follows, however itshould be appreciated that the following list is given by way of exampleonly.

1. The video recording apparatus provides a low cost means for recordingvideo pictures on conventional video recording medium such as a VHS or 8mm video tape, which can then be played back on a separate video player.

2. Due to the low cost, and no maintenance requirements, the videorecording apparatus can be sold at non specialised outlets, and can thusbe more available to the public.

3. Moreover, due to the low cost, the taking of video pictures will bepossible to those who have a video playback unit but have heretofore notbeen able to afford a video camera to take video pictures.

4. Furthermore, due to the low cost, the video recording apparatus canbe used by children, thus increasing the market, and enabling an evenlower cost.

5. The low cost construction allows the video recording apparatus to bedisposable. In some versions however the video recording apparatus couldbe reused. For example the recording medium could be reloaded by a userusing a special device or technique to reposition components.

6. The use of a CMOS light sensing device and unidirectional driveenables a significant reduction in costs and power requirements.

Finally it will be appreciated that the present invention has beendescribed by way of example only, and that modifications and additionsmay be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

1. A video camera comprising: a lens; a light sensing device for sensingan optical image focused by said lens and producing correspondingelectrical output signals; a signal processor for processing saidelectrical output signals to information in a suitable format; and arecording medium for recording said processed information, saidrecording medium being sealed within a casing of the camera atmanufacture of the video camera.
 2. A casing according to claim 1,wherein an outer part of the casing is composed of cardboard.
 3. Acasing according to claim 1, wherein an outer part of the casing iscomposed of a plastics material.